Uganda: Swaziland to Buy ARVs From Country
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New Vision (Kampala)
8 July 2008
Posted to the web 9 July 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala
King Mswati and President Museveni listen to Dr. Sam Opio, who is in charge of production, during their tour of the ARV factory in Luzira
HIS Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland, who is on a four-day state visit, yesterday toured the new anti-AIDS and anti-malaria drug plant in Luzira, Kampala.
Swazi foreign affairs minister Moses Mathedelene said the Swazi government would initially buy drugs from Uganda when the factory starts full production.
"This visit is part of our efforts to curb the HIVâ-àepidemic. We plan to build a factory of a similar nature," he said.
Mathedelene said Swaziland has a small population of 1.2m but with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world at 38.8%, five times the sub-Saharan African figure of 7.5%.
President Yoweri Museveni accompanied the king on the tour.
Mswati toured the plant to learn more about it, how it was set up, its production capacity and rates of return.
During the guided tour, he witnessed the production process of Anti-Retroviral (ARVs) and anti-malaria drugs, as well as the packaging process.
Also present was health minister Stephen Mallinga, ICT minister Ham Mulira and the board members of the factory.
King Mswati III is here to discuss new areas of cooperation, particularly in the fields of trade and HIV/AIDS.
Responding to questions from the king, Quality chemical's chairman board of director Francis Kitaka said the plant would go into full production in August and would be able to manufacture six million anti-AIDS and malaria drugs a day.
According to the managing director, Emmanuel Katongole, the plant has enough capacity to meet Uganda's needs and those of neighbouring countries.
President Museveni said the Government would buy shares worth sh10b in in the plant in order to enhance production of drugs in the country.
Later, the Swazi king toured Sameer Agriculture and Livestock milk plant in Bugolobi.
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Technical general manager Ashok Garg said the factory produces 300,000 litres of milk daily. Their products include milk powder, pasteurised milk, ghee and yoghurt, some of which are exported.
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I hope all goes well for this ARV production. Uganda we need easily obatiable drugs.